Today is the day: the MLB non-waiver trade deadline comes to pass at 4:00 PM this afternoon. The Tampa Bay Rays already dealt OF/DH David DeJesus to the Angels for a Double-A prospect ― a move that was necessary in light of the team’s current (and future) roster jam. The question begs, what other moves might Matt Silverman make?
As of 11:52 AM, no further moves have been made. That said, this piece is an open thread to document any rumors and moves leading up to the four-o-clock hour.
8:56 AM — Chris Cotillo (SB Nation) tweeted as of yesterday, the Dodgers, Giants, and Diamond Backs had interest in Nathan Karns:
As of yesterday, had heard Dodgers, Giants, DBacks in on Karns. https://t.co/KFHjw52Sqz
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2015
Jon Heyman (CBS Sports) responded to Cotillo:
rays also considering trading young starters. so karns, others could be in play. not sure hat chances are. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2015
9:00 AM — Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote a piece where he opines that Kevin Jepsen is the most likely (if any) to be dealt by the deadline:
In today’s @TB_Times, after “lots of talk” #Rays down to decision day on trades (Jepsen?), and roster spot (Mahtook?) http://t.co/o4vtFeVRoX — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
10:00 AM — Cotillo noted the interest in Brad Boxberger, Jake McGee, and Jepsen by the Houston Astros:
Source: Astros have some interest in Rays’ relievers Boxberger, McGee and Jepsen, though nothing serious at this time. — Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2015
11:00 AM — DRaysBay posts trade deadline open thread piece:
Four hours left in the trade deadline! What move should the Rays make? http://t.co/iAzve2vi1Spic.twitter.com/s3gMOaLSiC — DRaysBay (@draysbay) July 31, 2015
11:21 AM — Per Topkin, all is still quiet on the trade front:
Still quiet on #Rays trade front, still think Jepsen most likely to go, still think #Twins could be good fit, or #Astros — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
12:46 PM — The Orioles traded Zach Davies to the Milwaukee Brewers for Gerardo Parra. The Jays and O’s made their big moves; is it time for the Rays to do the same?
#Orioles acquire @88_gparra from the #Brewers for Zach Davies (@ZDavies3), Bud Norris DFA’d pic.twitter.com/V0SZ5Iwlhv
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 31, 2015
1:15 PM — It might be wise to not expect a big, lumbering power bat in return for Jepsen.
Pure speculation on my part, decent (tho not elite) prospect or 2 https://t.co/5mAsTMVmzB
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
1:53 PM — Cotillo confirmed the Twins have an interest in Jepsen, and are in talks with the Rays, although the Mariners seem to be in hot pursuit as well:
Source confirms Twins do have interest in Jepsen and are talking to Rays.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2015
Source: Mariners involved in talks with Rays for Kevin Jepsen. Handful of teams (including MIN) believed to be in.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2015
1:57 PM — Per Rosenthal, Jepsen appears to be headed to Minnesota:
Source: Kevin Jepsen to #Twins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
Cotillo concurs, although there has been no confirmation from Topkin or the team:
Source: Kevin Jepsen to #Twins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
2:00 PM — And here’s your confirmation from Topkin:
And as we’ve been saying, #Rays trade Jepsen to #Twins, per @Ken_Rosenthal
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
In return, Tampa Bay will receive two low level minor league relievers.
Despite culling a 2.81 ERA, Jepsen’s K/9 is way down from 2014 (7.34) and his walks are up at 4.32 BB/9.
The reliever is reaching his final year of arbitration (2016), and is projected to receive a significant pay increase, somewhere in the ballpark of $5MM next season. For now, the trade frees up money to retain Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger, who are expected to remain in a Rays uniform.
Something can always pop up at the last minute but getting the sense that is it for #Rays today …
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
2:28 PM — Cotillo made mention the two relievers the Rays will get in return:
Sources: Rays getting Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia in Jepsen deal.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2015
RHP Chih-Wei Hu is 5-3 with a 2.44 ERA at Class-A Fort Myers. Tapia was 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA at rookie level and A ball for the Twins.
3:22 PM — Some peripherals on the Rays’ newest acquisitions:
Hu, 21, was a Florida State League All-Star. He ranks 3rd in FSL in ERA (2.44) & 4th in SO/9 IP (7.8) over 15 starts for Class-A Fort Myers.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 31, 2015
Hu entered the season ranked the No. 16 @Twins prospect by @ESPN’s @KeithLaw. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent from Taiwan in 2012.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 31, 2015
Tapia, 19, signed with @Twins out of Venezuela in 2012. He is 8-5 with a 2.94 ERA (122.1 IP, 40 ER) over parts of 3 minor league seasons. — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 31, 2015
What are the Rays getting from Twins in RHP Chin-Wei Hu? Above-average command for his age, excellent palmball, 90-92 fb and avg. SL. — JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) July 31, 2015
The team also recalled Kirby Yates from Triple-A Durham Bull to take Jepsen’s place on the active roster. How long he lasts with the big league squad is dependent upon how well he pitches. Personally, I’d like to have seen Andrew Bellatti or Matt Andriese recalled.
It should go without saying, the loss of a good teammate, no matter how well he performs, does impact the other players on the roster:
The business of baseball is what it is, business. Still, loosing great teammates doesn’t hurt any less.
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) July 31, 2015
3:34 PM — Jepsen also talked about the impact with Topkin:
Talked to Jepsen, a little surprised to be traded from #Rays to #Twins given similar records, sad to leave #Rays guys, excited to be wanted
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015
Jepsen said he’d been aware of trade rumors but was still surprised to be dealt by #Rays, picked up stuff at Fenway, headed to Minn tonight
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2015